Pastor Louis Alam Youngs, 95 of Robinson, IL., died Friday June 16, 2023, 4:55 pm in Robinson Health & Rehab (Cotillion Ridge), with his loving family at his bedside. Louis or “Louie” as we knew him, was born in St. Louis, MO, January 29, 1928 the son of Otis K and Edith Irene (Clagg) Youngs-Williams.
Louie grew up and received his early education in Harrisburg, IL and after high school, attended Asbury College in Wilmore, KY where he graduated in 1949. He then attended Garrett Biblical Institute in Evanston, IL. and Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, IN-receiving his graduate degree in 1958. He was ordained a Deacon by Bishop Charles Wesley Brashers and an Elder by Bishop Richard Raines.
Rev. Youngs married Dorothy Mae Smith in 1952 and she survives. They have four children and their spouses, Richard Wesley & Gail Youngs, Bloomington, IL; John Thomas & Terri Youngs of Vincennes, IN; Elizabeth Ann “Liz” Youngs of Crestview Hills, KY; Susan Rebecca & Cliff Young of Harrison, OH.; six grandchildren, Tom and Andrea Youngs, Lawrenceville, IL; Kirby and Heather Youngs of Rockport, IN; Wesley Young of Atlanta, GA; Sarah Youngs of Bloomington, IL; Guy and Becca Youngs, Chicago, IL; Nicole Young and Dylan Ebeling of Cincinnati, OH; four great grandchildren; a niece, a nephew and several great nieces and nephews.
Rev. Youngs served pastoral appointments in Johnsonville, IL; Dietrich, IL; Patoka, IL; Glenns Valley, IN; Edgewood, IN; Cumberland, IN; Barth Place, IN; Carbondale, IL; Lebanon, IL; Westwood-Cincinnati, OH; Wesley-Bloomington, IL; Chatham, IL; and Robinson, IL; where he retired in 1993. I guess they have changed the meaning of retirement, because after his formal retirement in Robinson, Rev. Youngs became active in the ministry and administration of the United Methodist Village, Lawrenceville, IL.; in addition to those duties, he was called upon to serve as an Interim Minister in twelve different churches. One he served for one month, many of them for several months and one for six years.
Now, as if his thirty-three years of pastoral duties were not enough, there were thirteen years as an associate minister with major emphasis in Education and Youth ministries. Also, in these years he served as a certified teacher in laboratory session for the Board of Education of the United Methodist Church Classes being led in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Missouri, North Dakota, Wisconsin and North Carolina.
An honor bestowed on Rev. Youngs while at First United Methodist Church in Robinson, IL, was to be elected to serve as a Trustee of McKendree College in Lebanon, IL. During this relationship with McKendree, and also, while serving as Chaplain at McKendree College, a long-lasting friendship developed with Harry Statham, Basketball coach of the College. Louie was invited to become the public address announcer for all the home basketball games. He served as the “Voice of the Bearcats” for over twenty-five years. Most of this time, while living in Lawrenceville, IL.
Funeral Services for Rev. Louis A. Youngs will be conducted Wednesday June 21, 2023, in the sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church in Robinson, IL with Pastor Terry Evans, Rev. Bob Edwards and Bishop William Lewis officiating. Visitation will precede the funeral services and will begin at 10:00 am at the Church and will conclude at 12:00 noon when the funeral is scheduled to begin. Delayed interment will be Thursday June 22nd at 12:00 Noon in the Sunset Lawn Cemetery, Harrisburg, IL. The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, that those wishing to do so, donate to Preacher’s Aid Society and Benefit Fund, P O Box 19207, Springfield, IL 62794-9207 with envelopes available at Pulliam Funeral Homes and First United methodist Church in Robinson, IL.